International

Racing NSW on Saturday announced that it has allocated $1 million towards assisting NSW thoroughbred racing participants who are suffering financial hardship due to the drought.

Racing NSW Chairman, Mr Russell Balding AO, said that “Racing NSW Management for the past month have been looking at how we can best assist our participants and ensure their viability during this prolonged stretch of drought conditions in NSW.

“Virtually every part of the State is affected with almost one quarter being classified as “intense drought”. Accordingly, our first priority in this initial allocation is to look after participants who are in severe financial stress due to the drought.

“We don’t know how long this drought will go for, so we have ensured that our initial allocation is sufficient in the short to medium term,” Mr Balding added.

Racing NSW Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM, said “Racing NSW Stewards are located throughout NSW and they will assess those that are doing it the toughest and need immediate financial assistance.

“We will also look at other programs to assist. It is important that Racing NSW does everything it can to assist its participants in their time of need.”

Racing NSW has already donated $130,000 to Aussie Helpers who assist all farmers in NSW.